caa a22 4500 606210636 CHVBK 20210128101034.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20150301xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10926-014-9527-4 doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10926-014-9527-4 The Role of the Australian Workplace Return to Work Coordinator: Essential Qualities and Attributes [Elektronische Daten] [Joanna Bohatko-Naismith, Carole James, Maya Guest, Darren Rivett] Introduction In the Australian context, a return to work (RTW) Coordinator assists an injured worker with workplace-based support and regulatory guidance for the duration of their injury. Coordinating the RTW process has been considered an effective approach for managing workplace injuries, however few studies have described the skills, traits or characteristics required to fulfil the role of workplace RTW Coordinator. This study aims to provide insight as to the skills and attributes needed for the role of the workplace RTW Coordinator from their experience and perception. Method Focus groups were conducted with workplace RTW Coordinators from six major Australian cities. Twenty five participants were recruited through a national RTW Coordinator website, and professional RTW interest groups using a snowballing technique. Participating workplace RTW Coordinators were required to have a minimum 2years' experience and to have been involved with the development and implementation of workplace policies and procedures. Thematic analysis was performed to identify meaningful patterns and themes. Results The data analysed provided clear insight as to the specific role requirements necessary for working as an Australian workplace RTW Coordinator. Three key themes clearly emerged; communication skills, RTW Coordinator characteristics, and managing the RTW process. Conclusion The findings indicate that RTW Coordinators require a wide range of traits, skills, and attributes to successfully perform this role. Effective management by the RTW Coordinator of the complex RTW process is essential to facilitate a smooth transition for the injured worker, alongside maintaining a professional relationship with the employer and external stakeholders. The results of this study can be utilised to further improve the selection of future RTW Coordinators. Springer Science+Business Media New York, 2014 Workplace based return to work nationallicence Return to work coordinators nationallicence Disability managers nationallicence Qualitative research nationallicence Bohatko-Naismith Joanna Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut James Carole Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut Guest Maya Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut Rivett Darren Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com 25/1(2015-03-01), 65-73 1053-0487 25:1<65 2015 25 10926 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9527-4 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9527-4 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Bohatko-Naismith Joanna Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- James Carole Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Guest Maya Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Rivett Darren Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com 25/1(2015-03-01), 65-73 1053-0487 25:1<65 2015 25 10926